2013 an encouraging year for semi-industrial and logistics owner-occupier transactions
Although the ‘offices’ sector is regaining some of the ground it lost within the overall real estate landscape during the worst of the crisis (and the most severe of the ‘self-reglation’ period), two other sectors which took on more importance are not going away. These are logistics and semi-industrial property, and we take a look, with the help of Jones Lang LaSalle, at how these segments are performing.

| 05/07/2014

An excellent vintage for investments in retail property
The healthy balance in the Belgian retail market between the three main segments (high street stores, shopping centres and out of town stores/retail parks) continues to attract an unprecedented number of investors. But this delicate balance is under threat. And in particular, the new regional retail permit legislation may result in a lack of dynamism and even a complete standstill in certain areas.

| 05/07/2014

Ghent in the winning mood
The Ghent office market once again performed very well in 2013. With a gradually expanding office stock of more than 1.4 million m², the Ghent office market represents the second office market in Flanders.

| 05/07/2014

Le Monnoyer: first 10,000 m² of Zero Energy offices
The ‘Monnoyer’ which accommodates 350 members of staff of the high tension electricity network manager ELIA, is the most spacious illustration of an architectural solution which is respectful of the environment. Lagooning, photovoltaic panels, certified, recyclable and indigenous materials, the reintroduction of biodiversity… This office creation by Architectes Associés has been named an Exemplary Building by Bruxelles Environnement and conforms to BREEAM standards. And on top of this, the Monnoyer is the first building of this size to be classed as Zero Energy (NZEB – Nearly Zero-Energy Building) in Brussels.

| 24/06/2014

Antwerp, waiting for new projects
The Antwerp office market is the second largest office market in Belgium after Brussels. Total stock is estimated at around 1,900,000 m² (excluding Mechelen) representing around 10% of total Belgian office stock. The Antwerp port activities and its role of as an international trading hub for diamonds are both important economic drivers. The decision to build the Oosterweel connection should help to solve the numerous mobility issues but the final planning for the realisation isn’t clear yet and works could last for almost a decade. In the meantime, the city risks losing attraction due to the lack of new appealing projects and the increasing mobility problems.

| 09/05/2014

Measuring the state of repair of buildings helps save money
The City of Mechelen owns some two hundred buildings of very wide-ranging types, sizes, ages and functions. Twenty of these are designated as large, including the Cultural Centre, the Municipal Theatre and the historic city hall. The desire for optimised maintenance and management of these assets has led to cooperation with a specialist partner.

| 07/05/2014

Guarantee architectural quality of projects
Olivier Bastin has been the ‘Master Architect’ for the Brussels Region for three years, and his mandate is drawing to a close in 2014. An ideal time to ask him about progress and in particular about the impact of the new passive standard.

| 07/05/2014

FM outsourcing | FM revolution behind the prison bars
Within a relatively short space of time, four brand new prison buildings are going to come into service within Flanders and Wallonia. The Federal Justice department decided a few years ago to build a certain number of new prisons. And it was high time because a large number of Belgian prisons already had a good number of years of service behind them. This wave of new buildings falls within the framework of the execution of the governmental agreement approving the 2008 – 2012 – 2016 guideline pour for a more humane custodial infrastructure.